“Players” generally refers to both the people playing and running the game. “Game Master” refers to the person (or persons) running the game.
RPG Player Bill of Rights
Summary of the RPG Player Bill of Rights
This is a great list of rights and rules to follow. These should be applied to everyone equally in the RPG group. The RPG Player Bill of Rights will help to establish decorum in your RPG group as well as present a precedent to judge future actions. This RPG Player Bill of Rights can also be a good tool to use during group arguments and disputes. As silly as it may seem on the surface, adopting something like this RPG Player Bill of Rights for your group can really help.
00. Rule of (th)Fun
This is a game, first and foremost. Its a mechanism to seek to engage with other and enjoy some creative interaction. Make an effort to seek out such inside the game without preventing others from having fun as well. If you are not having fun, please contact the GM immediately to help resolve this.
Help ensure other players and the GM are having fun. We are all here for this reason, so please do not continually hog the limelight, belittle other players, compete with the GM, argue rules, or otherwise make yourself unpleasant to play with. If you notice a player who is shy, or whose character always seems to be outshined by others, make an effort to get them more involved. Everyone will benefit.
1. Free Speech
RPG Player Bill of Rights grants players have the right to speak freely. Players have the right to petition other players and the Game Master in a courteous, respectful, and non-threatening manner. Players and Game Masters should not abridge the right of members to speak. Characters, on the other hand, are a different story, especially when it is not their turn!
IF possible, choose to discuss private conflicts outside of the game space, preferably after the session. This includes questions on GM
2. Right to Bear Arms
Players should come to the game with all of the needed materials to play. Books, calculators, a working computer, decent quality Microphone, snacks, drinks, and anything the player will need during game time.
3. Quartering Tired Players
GMs should consider allowing suspension of play if fellow players are too tired. The Game Master should end gameplay at a reasonable time and not impede upon the next day’s schedule.
4. Right to Privacy
RPG Player Bill of Rights grants players the right to keep some character information to themselves as long as these things are reasonable and can be revealed at climatically appropriate times.
Players also have a right to expect their persons and their personal possessions to be respected.
5. Probable Cause Against Cheating
Proof of cheating and misplay can and will be brought out into the open. Cheating harms the game and diminishes the experience.
6. Right to Speedy Play and Fair Rulings
RPG Player Bill of Rights expects players to whenever possible seek to resolve conflicts outside of gaming session, and where possible through private messaging or chat to the GM. When the GM's ruling from such is in question - the GM pledges to make speedy arguments regarding rules and game mechanics. In the efforts of speeding up the game these discussions should take no more than 5 minutes. The GM ruling at the end of the 5 minutes is used until after session.
Once the session ends a more lengthy investigation can be permitted if necessary. Rules and gameplay can be modified for the future should a different conclusion be agreed upon. In the case where the GM and player's clash, it's a shared fantasy. However, wherever possible, please remember, the GM may have a longer campaign factor that is in play.
7. No Meta Player Retaliation
The actions of a player and their characters should never cross. Should one player feel they have been wronged by another player, the players and their character’s actions will not become mixed. Players should deal with players. Characters should deal with characters. Excessive penalties should never be given to either the players or the characters for meta reasons. Likewise, a character who initiates a flirtatious conversation with another character should not be misinterpreted as the player’s intent toward the other player. It’s a role-playing game, and should be treated as such.
8. Rights Will Not Infringe On Other Rights
None of the player rights in the RPG Player Bill of Rights should ever be used to deny other rights within the RPG Player Bill of Rights.
9. New Rules and Guidelines Democratically Decided
Any new rules or guidelines for the RPG Bill of Rights should be voted on. These changes to the RPG Bill of Rights should be democratically decided by vote of all of the players. A majority must be reached to be enacted.
10. Game Masters Have Final Ruling at The Table
Game Masters have the final say in rules, thoughts, or ideas when they are not addressed in the RPG Player Bill of Rights. They are the final arbiters if agreement cannot be made.
11. Vote In New Players
Any new player that joins an RPG group can play for a set number of games. After the end of the last trial game, the existing members can vote to add the new player or not. This is a great way to set the expectation of testing to see if a new player fits the group. If the new player is voted in, they become a permanent player with full voting privileges.
This can also be used to vote out a player should something change and a player become a problem to the group. If after other avenues of helping them have been exhausted, the existing permanent players may vote to remove a member of the group.
12. Respect All Players
RPG Player Bill of Rights requires all players at the gaming table to be treated with respect and dignity. All players should be treated equally. Also, do not confuse a player with the character they play.
13. RPG Group Formation
All players present at the formation of the RPG group are considered permanent players with all the rights and privileges inherent within.
14. Right to Vote
All permanent players have the right to vote on all calls to vote within the group. If important decisions need a vote the group will make absentee voting available.
15. Permanent Player
Permanent players are individuals in the RPG group that have been either voted in or created the gaming group. These players have a spot at the table and the ability to vote on group issues. They can also propose new rules for the RPG Player Bill of Rights, guidelines for the game, etc.
In some cases New Players will be given One (1) "Plot Point".
16. Banning of Substances
The Game Master(s) have the right to ban consumption or involvement of person(s) using illicit or intoxicating substances during gaming session - should they deem it necessary. Also, see 21 of the RPG Player Bill of Rights.
17. Cannot Deny Voting Rights
The right of permanent players in the gaming group to vote shall not be denied or abridged by anyone due to silly reasons.
18. Tenure of Game Master
The Game Master is welcome to run games as long as they are willing to run games. If someone else wants to run a game or campaign, the group should discuss. Running a game gives players a good understanding of the GM’s job and may make that person a better player when it’s time to play again. And Game Masters like to play sometimes, too!
19. Party Time
The Game Master or the Host may see fit to lift the ban on illicit or intoxicating substances. Cheers!
20. Player Tenure
Players who come in and out of a group will need to be voted in each time they come back, and if they are chronic bailers, they may be denied re-entry to the group. It is important for a player to be reliable, for the sake of the other players and the Game Master.
21. Guest Players
Permanent players may request to invite guest players to the table on occasion, with the permission of the GM and the group such players will be allowed to play. Guest players are expected to understand and follow the RPG Player Bill of Rights. To make an effort to fit into the campaign being played and not be a distraction.
22. Guest Player to Permanent Player
If a guest player wants to play more than 50% of all of the RPG games, they should go through the permanent player process.
23. Backup Game Mastering
In case the regular Game Master is unable to run a game, long time permanent players may be allowed to run “side quests” for other player's and their characters. Secondary Game Masters may want to keep some basic side plots in mind in the rare case that the GM comes down with a sickness or is elsewise unable to DM. This way the RPG game can go on! In such cases, the Campaign will be turned over the player vetted for such.
24. Game Content Expectations
A GM should advise the group regarding the campaign’s basic rating of G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17. All members must both meet the age requirement, and gameplay must stay within the boundaries of the game’s rating. If players become uncomfortable with an aspect of the game, they should address their concern with the Game Master.
All Players should expect to feel safe, and though there are times that materials can wander into mature themes, no player should continue play if they feel uncomfortable with the game's narrative.
25. Rule of Possession
GM and Players should give prompt notice when they are not able to play, when ever possible, a description of the action(s) they intended in the next session and/or bequeath to another Player - the right to play their character. In consideration of the Right to Privacy, players will not be given rights to another's Character without permission.
Permanent death, loss of function or property that arises during the character being possessed is to be considered Force Majeure. It is a side effect and there is no obligation to review, retract or redact what arises from such.
00. Rule of (th)Fun
(yes again)
This is a game, first and foremost. Its a mechanism to seek to engage with other and enjoy some creative interaction. Make an effort to seek out such inside the game without preventing others from having fun as well.
Players will be expected to contribute in a positive manner to the entertainment - in consideration not only thematically true for their character's motivation, but also towards the goal(s) of the group as a whole.
Once you have read these, and if you are agreed, place the following atop your character's bio/description for public view.
"I have read and agree to the RPG Bill of Rights" If you have exceptions or problems with some of the rules, please Contact the GM or post your concern(s) for group consideration.